Atalanta
Huntress that
took part in the hunt for the Calydonian boar. Her biological father was Iasus
of Arcadia, but she was brought up by a she-bear and hunters after her father
had abandoned her because she was not a boy.
When Atalanta had grown up she looked up her parents, who wanted the girl
to marry. Being a very fast runner, Atalanta agreed on the condition that
she would marry the man that could outrun her. Anyone who failed would be
killed.
After many suitors had died, a man called Hippomenes decided to take part
Another version tells us that Atalanta was a young and strong maid who refused
all men. She even knew how to protect herself from the wild centaurs. When
king Pelias died, she took part in the games at his funeral. The young man
Meilanion fell in love with Atalanta, but was ignored by her. He then started
following her around everywhere, crying for her love and complaining about
her coldness. Aphrodite then took mercy on him, and filled Atalanta with love
for Meilanion. The couple had a son, Parthenopaeus, who was to be part of
the Seven against Thebes.
